Montagne Khastil
July 6 - Rivière Walk (Route 7), Kalos
"It's the oldest battlefield in the region...give or take the few thousands years since the war." Monty's eyes were wide as he took in the sights, marveling at how sophisticated such an ancient place could be. His travels before becoming a trainer rarely took him to the southwest, and never this far past Camphrier Town— was the Rivière hiding this place the whole time?
The Lumiosite slowed his pace to get a better look at the platforms scattered around the river as he continued, "I've only heard about it, but it's supposed to be the biggest battle hub in southwest Kalos. Celebrities. Gym leaders. All sorts of people flock here like moths to a Fire-Type's flame."
Hmpf. Moths to a flame. All that "strength" between the weathered bricks, but they were weaklings cowering behind Pokémon all the same; too afraid to get their own hands dirty, or to take a hit themselves.
But was he really any better? Did he really change so much over the past month that seeing a center for Kalosian battling actually got him fired up?
The group reached the walkway to the grand wooden doors, and Monty threw his head back to grin at Esther. "Gets your blood boiling, right? Come on, let's check it out!"
----------
It was a good thing Monty recalled Chauffemagne, because the Houndour would've rubbed his nose over every square inch of the Battle Chateau's extravagent interior. Gleaming marble floors were covered by fancy-looking rugs that stretched every which way and shot off through stone archways that led to Arceus knew where, and the strangest mix of people Monty had ever seen were milling about.
Punks dripping with black and neon, little kids in rain boots, old men in their most expensive-looking suits, and everyone in between were intermingling. The criminal could hardly believe his eyes. Were all of these people here to battle?
Monty was so distracted by the hodge-podge crowd that he didn't notice a woman come up behind them.
"Excusez-moi, welcome to the Battle Chateau!"
Huh? Monty and Oracle turned in tandem to see a woman in some sort of maid get up warmly smiling at the group. Come to think of it, there were a few people in the outfit around. Was it a uniform?
"Uh, thanks. How do we see the battles?" The criminal skipped the pleasantries, but the woman was unphased.
"The side corridors—" She gestured toward archways on either side of the lobby. "—lead to the outdoor platforms. The indoor facilities are through the center arch, and you can explore our membership packages at the front desk."
Membership packages? Monty hadn't heard something so ridiculous since the thousand dollar gym challegne fee. "You mean you have to pay to battle here?"
The maid's smile lost some of its warmth. "Yes, sir. Some more notable trainers enjoy a complementary membership, but others can win themsel—"
"But we are notable trainers!" Monty interjected. He pointed a thumb at Esther and smugly affirmed, "We're the Shabboneau Junior Tournament champions!"
The maid's eye twitched. "Perhaps they'll be able to make an exception for you at the help desk. Excusez-moi." She curtsied like some fairy tale character and walked off, leaving the criminal scowling. Could she not recognize potential when she saw it?
He crossed his arms, huffed, and addressed the ladies in his entourage. "What do you two think?"
For once, Oracle seemed interested in something going on around her. The Absol's head was on a swivel, and the look in her eye told him all he needed to know. She was ready to battle.
July 6 - Rivière Walk (Route 7), Kalos
"It's the oldest battlefield in the region...give or take the few thousands years since the war." Monty's eyes were wide as he took in the sights, marveling at how sophisticated such an ancient place could be. His travels before becoming a trainer rarely took him to the southwest, and never this far past Camphrier Town— was the Rivière hiding this place the whole time?
The Lumiosite slowed his pace to get a better look at the platforms scattered around the river as he continued, "I've only heard about it, but it's supposed to be the biggest battle hub in southwest Kalos. Celebrities. Gym leaders. All sorts of people flock here like moths to a Fire-Type's flame."
Hmpf. Moths to a flame. All that "strength" between the weathered bricks, but they were weaklings cowering behind Pokémon all the same; too afraid to get their own hands dirty, or to take a hit themselves.
But was he really any better? Did he really change so much over the past month that seeing a center for Kalosian battling actually got him fired up?
The group reached the walkway to the grand wooden doors, and Monty threw his head back to grin at Esther. "Gets your blood boiling, right? Come on, let's check it out!"
----------
It was a good thing Monty recalled Chauffemagne, because the Houndour would've rubbed his nose over every square inch of the Battle Chateau's extravagent interior. Gleaming marble floors were covered by fancy-looking rugs that stretched every which way and shot off through stone archways that led to Arceus knew where, and the strangest mix of people Monty had ever seen were milling about.
Punks dripping with black and neon, little kids in rain boots, old men in their most expensive-looking suits, and everyone in between were intermingling. The criminal could hardly believe his eyes. Were all of these people here to battle?
Monty was so distracted by the hodge-podge crowd that he didn't notice a woman come up behind them.
"Excusez-moi, welcome to the Battle Chateau!"
Huh? Monty and Oracle turned in tandem to see a woman in some sort of maid get up warmly smiling at the group. Come to think of it, there were a few people in the outfit around. Was it a uniform?
"Uh, thanks. How do we see the battles?" The criminal skipped the pleasantries, but the woman was unphased.
"The side corridors—" She gestured toward archways on either side of the lobby. "—lead to the outdoor platforms. The indoor facilities are through the center arch, and you can explore our membership packages at the front desk."
Membership packages? Monty hadn't heard something so ridiculous since the thousand dollar gym challegne fee. "You mean you have to pay to battle here?"
The maid's smile lost some of its warmth. "Yes, sir. Some more notable trainers enjoy a complementary membership, but others can win themsel—"
"But we are notable trainers!" Monty interjected. He pointed a thumb at Esther and smugly affirmed, "We're the Shabboneau Junior Tournament champions!"
The maid's eye twitched. "Perhaps they'll be able to make an exception for you at the help desk. Excusez-moi." She curtsied like some fairy tale character and walked off, leaving the criminal scowling. Could she not recognize potential when she saw it?
He crossed his arms, huffed, and addressed the ladies in his entourage. "What do you two think?"
For once, Oracle seemed interested in something going on around her. The Absol's head was on a swivel, and the look in her eye told him all he needed to know. She was ready to battle.